The continuing sagas of the Blue Heron Bridge

[danvolker]

I intend to test the theory soon that one may dive off the "beach" area, between the two spans, well before high tide, and see if the current in that area is significantly less than that near the bridges themselves.

I might even break down and attempt to match up visibilities with tide heights.

IMG_5490wa | Flickr - Photo Sharing! I've added a few more sets of bridge dives recently. That one was from off the "beach" area. Didn't notice the nudi til post processing time. :confused4:

One wierdness from the Sunday evening dive....this was a 3.4 foot high tide, which is extremely high.....and the current was so huge that sand was being transported in, and everything not firmly rooted to the bottom was getting shoved along....Vis was not exceptional, due to this.....Out on the reefs I am sure vis was huge.
Usually, a higher tide does give us better vis...maybe just not quite this high

 

[mntlblok]

Nothing to test. It's already been done 100s of times over... I even did it in this thread...

There is only one time that I will not dive the bridge, because the water is just too murky. I have been on 3 dives at BHB during slack low tide... None of the three dives was worth the time.

I've said it before and I'll say it again... I will dive the bridge any time other than slack low tide
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Visibilities have more to do with wind than tide heights. Notice times when tide is going one way and wind is blowing the other? Since it is so shallow there the smaller grains of loose sand stir up and add to the "milky" vis that often works against one diving the bridge

Thanks. I'll try to pay better attention. My more specific question is about there maybe being a relative lack of current off the beach area during "mid-tide" - or whatever you call it. Do you limit yourself to that area, or do you go all over when the current is screaming under the bridges? TIA

Good to know about the wind effects, too. I'm learning.

BTW, is that a Tobacco Fish in the fourth pic?

Kevin

 

[BHB ScubaTroll]

Thanks. I'll try to pay better attention. My more specific question is about there maybe being a relative lack of current off the beach area during "mid-tide" - or whatever you call it. Do you limit yourself to that area, or do you go all over when the current is screaming under the bridges? TIA

Good to know about the wind effects, too. I'm learning.

BTW, is that a Tobacco Fish in the fourth pic?

Kevin

Mid current times require dives under the moored boats for most people. Some know where and how to beat the current strength using tricks and medium effort. That being said, it is one thing to maintain in that ripping current, it is another to exit the current. If you don't know how to exit properly, you could be in for a drift around the island.

That fourth fish is a juvenile "Slippery Dick"

 

[scubajim 1]

Great dive again today with warm water and wonderful viz. Did a video of a poor lovestruck ray doing his best to woo a large female...nothing worked. I still think he should have played a Barry White sound track. [video=youtube;hlk9N9FDXP8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlk9N9FDXP8[/video]
Kind of reminds me of me

 

[scubajim 1]

Here are a few more images from this morning's dive...I think I'm going to have to grow gills, quit teaching scuba and just live under the bridge.



This is the same lion fish I saw yesterday. It is so lovely but boy do I hate it.

Saw and was good to catch up with jimw and Diva

 

[jimw]

divedivadm and moi dove BHB today and saw the rays with scubajim, interesting and I wondered how many of us would blame "students" and other "diveclods" for the reduced viz in the area--GREAT viz otherwise--about 40 ft or more. We both had 78F water temp, but we have identical computers. Saw a goldspot eel, we see them every dive around Bonaire, but i don't recall seeing one in Florida before,at least not in recent years-the Humann book sez rare, etc.

 

[Aggie Diver]

Here are a few more images from this morning's dive...I think I'm going to have to grow gills, quit teaching scuba and just live under the bridge.
View attachment 95004 View attachment 95005
View attachment 95006 View attachment 95007

This is the same lion fish I saw yesterday. It is so lovely but boy do I hate it.

Saw good to catch up with jimw and Diva

The only good lionfish is a dead one. Especially in such a juvenile sanctuary as the Bridge.

 

[jet126]

Great dive again today with warm water and wonderful viz. Did a video of a poor lovestruck ray doing his best to woo a large female...nothing worked. I still think he should have played a Barry White sound track. Kind of reminds me of me

Great video Jim! Although almost painful to watch ... we've all seen it: the nerdy 9th grader hopelessly ga-ga over a cheerleader ...


p.s. Bad news re: the lionfish!!!

 

[Scuba_Jenny]

The only good lionfish is a dead one. Especially in such a juvenile sanctuary as the Bridge.

That's what I was thinking.... why is that liionfish still alive? Somebody needs to find it a new home.. in a dumpster perhaps?

 

[scubajim 1]

Great video Jim! Although almost painful to watch ... we've all seen it: the nerdy 9th grader hopelessly ga-ga over a cheerleader ...


p.s. Bad news re: the lionfish!!!

Bet you were the cheerleader lol